Why is Ganfan considered a fabric that becomes more valuable the more you wear it?

Xiangyun Sha is the only fabric that becomes softer and smoother with every wear. New material starts stiff but reaches its optimal condition after six months to a year of use. Its color fades evenly, developing an antique patina. Vintage Xiangyun Sha stored for over 3 years commands a premium of 5%–100%.

In the textile industry, there is a widely circulated saying—

The bride wears new Xiangyunsha; the mother-in-law wears old Xiangyunsha.

It doesn't mean the poor wearing old clothes. It means that xiangyunsha fabric aged for over a decade is more valuable than newly produced material.

This is impossible on any other fabric.

Softer with every wear—not worn out.

Standard fabrics degrade with use—worn out, thinned from washing, and faded over time.

In contrast, ganjia fabric is different.

Newly produced Xiangyun silk feels stiff at first, as residual tuber dye and river mud hold the fibers taut. After wearing it for a while, body heat, sweat, air exposure, and washing gradually loosen the cross-linked structure between the tuber tannins and silk fibers.

Being relaxed isn't bad.

The fabric has become softer, more form-fitting, and smoother to the touch.

This process is referred to as "nurturing" in the industry.

A garment made of Xiangyun Sha reaches its peak condition after about six months to a year of wear—soft yet structured, lustrous without being greasy, and feeling like a second skin against your body.

The color may fade, but not lose its vibrancy.

All natural dyes fade. Shangyunsha is no exception.

But chemical dyes fade by bleeding—leaving patchy, uneven color that gets uglier over time.

The fading of Yunsha is a "transformation" — the overall color tone gradually darkens, shifting from "new" to "vintage," while remaining uniform without patches.

After aging, the color develops an antique charm shaped by time. In the world of collectibles, this is called "patina." In the Shangyunsha industry, it's known as "developing character."

Market Data: How much more do old materials cost compared to new ones?

Data Source：Fabric market research and auction records of collection-grade Xiangyunsha.

Xiangyunsha made from fabric aged over 20 years often sees its price double. Fabrics from that era were crafted using more traditional techniques, wilder and older yam roots (Dioscorea cirrhosa), and cleaner river mud—conditions that are increasingly difficult to meet today.

How to care for it so it increases in value with every wear?

Wash

• Hand wash in cold water with neutral detergent (silk-specific).
• Do not soak for more than 10 minutes.
• Do not wring; gently press to remove water.
• Dry in a cool, shaded, and well-ventilated area.

Wear

• Wearing it as intended is the best way to care for Shanghainese Gauze.
• Body heat and sweat help soften the fabric.
• Don't let it gather dust at the bottom of your closet. Take it out and wear it!

Save

• Do not seal in plastic bags (needs ventilation)
• Wrap in acid-free paper or a cotton bag
• Use camphor wood blocks to repel insects (do not use mothballs).
• Air it out once a year (on cloudy days, out of direct sunlight).

Xiangluju's Ingredient Selection Standards

Xiangluju uses only pure traditional methods and fresh materials. We do not sell aged materials.

However, our fabrics are "rested" after being received into inventory—held for 3-6 months before being made into garments. This resting process allows the wisteria tannins to relax naturally, so your new clothes feel one level softer than the fabric right off the production line.

Therefore, we do not offer a product line of "aged Xiangyunsha."

Because we believe wearing old is more meaningful than buying old.

One piece of Xiangyunsha cloth accompanies you for three, five, or ten years. It softens, fades in color, and gains a richer luster. Yet within these changes lies every inch of your time—the days you wore it to work, the summer trips you took in it, and the moments you met important people while wearing it.

This is what "worth more the more you wear" truly means.

Conclusion

Kam-po silk's value appreciation through wear isn't investment-driven.

It's the value of companionship.

It's the value of time.

The days you've spent with this garment.

Related Reading

• [How to Care for Xiangyun Sha](/wiki/xiangyunsha-maintenance) — Complete Guide to Daily Washing and Maintenance
• [3 ways to spot authentic Xiangyunsha](/wiki/how-to-identify-authentic-xiangyunsha) — Only genuine pieces soften with wear.
• [What is Xiangyun Sha](/wiki/what-is-xiangyunsha) — An Introduction to Xiangyun Sha Fabric

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